Titan Talk

September 11, 2026
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Titan Family,
Today, we pause to remember September 11, 2001.
For many adults, this is a day we lived through and will never forget. It is a day that changed our nation and the world. Twenty-five years ago, we witnessed tragedy on a catastrophic scale, and those events left a lasting impact on countless lives.
As a small-town girl from East Tennessee, I did not even know what the Twin Towers were. Yet, as I sat in my math class watching the events unfold, I experienced what so many Americans felt that day: fear, sadness, and uncertainty. In the days and weeks that followed, our nation came together. We shared our grief, supported one another, and found strength in our unity.
Today, we remember.
We remember the passengers and crews of Flights 11, 175, 77, and the courageous individuals aboard Flight 93. We remember the 2,977 lives that were lost. We remember the heroic first responders who rushed into danger to save others. We remember the families forever changed by this tragedy and the countless acts of bravery, sacrifice, and service displayed that day.
As a school, a community, and a nation, we honor their memory.
As we reflect today, I hope we each take a moment to express gratitude, cherish our loved ones, and remember those whose lives were taken far too soon.
Sincerely,
Principal AJ Smith
TITAN WEEKLY NEWS
WEEK AT A GLANCE
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 14TH
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
- JUNIOR BETA CLUB: at 8:00 AM, Room E-109, Meeting Type: Interest Meeting - Be sure to COMPLETE JR. BETA APPLICATION FORM HERE!
- INTERACT CLUB: at 8:05 AM, Room E104 (Cooper; 6th Grade Academy)
- Volleyball Open Gym from 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM in the Gym
- B-Ballers from 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM in the Gym
- Soccer Game: Home vs. Crabapple from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
- Sara Gillespie Community Meeting with Lily Pozatek @ Crabapple Crossing ES at 9:30 AM
- Volleyball Tryouts - GIRLS- 4:15 PM - 5:30 PM
- K-POP: Afterschool from 4:20 PM to 5:20 PM, in profe Mejia's classroom.
- B-Ballers from 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM in the Gym
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
- Wear College T-Shirts for AVID Wednesday
- PTSA Board Meeting from 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
- First Meting of Drama Club, after school in Room E112 (Ms. Porterfield)
- Volleyball Tryouts -GIRLS - 4:15 PM - 5:30 PM
- B-Ballers from 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM in the Gym
- Soccer Game at Hopewell from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
- READING BOWL CLUB: After School until 5:15 PM, Room F-113, Meeting Type: First Regular Club Meeting
- FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES (FCA): from 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM, Room A-15
- Volleyball Tryouts - BOYS- 4:15 PM - 5:30 PM
- B-Ballers from 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM in the Gym
- FCS Board Meeting from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- 🎓 AVID Day - Celebrating college and career readiness through AVID
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
- B-Ballers at 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM in the Gym
ACTION ITEM FOR PARENTS
UPDATE IMMUNIZATION FORM 3231
It is important to verify that your student's required immunizations and documentation are up to date. Georgia requires certain vaccinations for 7th grade students and new students entering grades 8-12. *PLEASE SUBMIT FORM 3231 TO THE FRONT OFFICE
Who Needs Updated Immunization Records?
The following students must meet Georgia's immunization requirements:
- 7th grade students
- New students entering grades 8-12
- Students returning to school after an absence of 12 months or more
Required Vaccinations
7th Grade Students and New Entrants (Grades 8-12)
Students must have:
- One dose of Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis)
- One dose of Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4)
Required Documentation
All students subject to these requirements must have a valid Georgia Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231) on file with the school. This form must be completed by a healthcare provider or local health department.
Why It Matters
Vaccinations help protect not only your child, but also classmates, staff, and the broader school community from preventable diseases. Ensuring compliance with state requirements helps maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone.
TAKE ACTION TODAY
✅ Check your child's immunization records.
✅ Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider if vaccinations are needed.
✅ Obtain an updated Georgia Form 3231.
✅ Submit all required documentation to your child's school as soon as possible.
For additional information, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health School Vaccines website at dph.georgia.gov/schoolvaccines or contact your healthcare provider or local health department.
BOOK FAIR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
📚 The Scholastic Book Fair is Coming! 📚 Get ready to shop for your next favorite book! The Scholastic Book Fair will be in the Media Center October 1–7.
Students will have the chance to browse great books, discover new series, and pick out some fun reads to take home. The Book Fair is always something our students look forward to, and we can’t wait for another great week!
🙋 Parents, we need your help!
We are looking for parent volunteers to help cover shifts in the Media Center throughout the Book Fair and assist our wonderful Media Center Coordinator, Patti Hutchison. Whether you can help for one shift or several, we’d love to have you!
👉 Sign up for a volunteer shift here:https://tinyurl.com/ykc6udx9
Thank you to all of our volunteers who help make special events like the Book Fair possible!
THINGS FOR TITANS
WHEN STUDENTS JOIN PTSA THEY HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE.
Did you know the "S" in PTSA stands for Students? When students join PTSA for just $10, they become part of an organization that supports their school and their success.
Join Us for Pizza with the Principal on September 29!
All PTSA student members are invited to Pizza with the Principal on September 29. Student members have the opportunity to voice their opinions on school improvements while enjoying a complimentary pizza lunch.
Student membership is $10 per person. Click here to sign up today!
REFLECTIONS CONTEST FOR CREATIVE STUDENTS
Call for Student Entries: Reflections Art Competition!
Does your student love to explore the arts and express themselves creatively? Encourage them to participate in the National PTA Reflections Art competition. This year's theme is “What My Culture Means to Me.” Students can participate in several categories, including Music, Dance, Film, Literature, Visual Arts, and Photography. The Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts and is a great opportunity for your student to showcase their skills!
Entry forms will be distributed at school and can be found in the Media Center. Click below for entry forms and submission guidelines. Entries are due to the Media Center by Friday, October 16. Submissions then will be judged, and winners in each grade/category will move on to the next level.
Any questions -- please reach out to Ashley Mixon at ptsa.epms@gmail.com.
- GA PTA Reflections Student Entry Packet
- GA PTA Reflections Entry Packet (en español)
- Reflections Visual Arts Guidelines
- Reflections Accessible Artist Guidelines
- Reflections Photography Guidelines
- Reflections Music Guidelines
- Reflections Literature Guidelines
- Reflections Dance Guidelines
- Reflections Film Guidelines
TITAN CLUB INFO
DRAMA CLUB TAKES THE STAGE!
Calling all aspiring actors, performers, and theater enthusiasts! Drama Club will hold its first meeting on Wednesday, September 16, after school in Room E112. Students who submitted a letter of interest are expected to attend.
For questions, please contact Drama Club Chair, Ms. Lara Porterfield, at porterfieldl@fultonschools.org.
TITAN ATLETICS
7TH GRADE & 8TH GRADE VOLLEYBALL TEAMS
Interested in playing volleyball for EPMS? We will have both a girls team and a boys team this year! Tryouts are open to 7th and 8th grade students.
✅ Complete the appropriate Volleyball Interest Form: a
- 🔗 Girls Volleyball Interest Form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/eXCgUAtgei
- 🔗 Boys Volleyball Interest Form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/kLN5XUezvq
Upload all required FCS athletic documents to Rank One as soon as possible.
Students cannot try out unless all forms are completed.
Schedule:
- Open Gym with Coaches: September 14 - BOYS AND GIRLS
- Girls Tryouts: September 15 & 16
- Boys Tryouts: September 17
- Time: 4:30-5:30 PM for all sessions
- 🚗 Parents, please pick up students promptly at 5:30 PM.
Questions? Contact:
- Coach Sneed: sneedll@fultonschools.org
- Coach O'Connor: oconnort@fultonschools.org
- Coach Pickering: pickeringb@fultonschools.org
PTSA
ELKINS POINTE PTSA NEEDS YOU TO SHARE YOUR VOICE!
Dear Parents/Guardians of Elkins Pointe Middle School,
Elkins Pointe Middle School PTSA knows that a strong partnership among our families, school leaders and community members is critical to the success of our students and school. That’s why we’re excited to participate in the National PTA School of Excellence program, which strengthens family-school partnerships to enrich the educational experience and well-being of all students.
As part of this process, we’ll use best practices from the National Standards for Family-School Partnerships to gather feedback from our community and develop an Excellence Action Plan. This plan will help us improve how we collaborate and engage with families and community members to support student success.
Share YOUR Voice!
We are looking for volunteers to help us gather feedback from families and community members, build our action plan and—the fun part—implement our plans. How? Take this short survey!
- English: https://forms.gle/j6DziCVNQMdndP979
- Spanish: https://forms.gle/Mg7owv4HpqhKgYGr8
Research shows that family engagement leads to greater student success. Students who feel supported by their school community earn higher grades, attend school regularly, develop stronger social skills, and are more likely to pursue higher education. We believe Elkins Pointe Middle School and our PTSA can achieve this together—and earn national recognition and community-wide visibility for the improvements we make.
If you're passionate about creating a welcoming, inclusive school environment, we’d love to have you on board. Please complete the survey by 9/30.
Thank you for your continued support and collaboration as we work toward becoming a National PTA School of Excellence!
Warm regards,
Cathy Sparks
AUCTION DONATIONS NEEDED
The Elkins Pointe Middle School PTSA is seeking donated items and experiences for the 2026 Silent Auction. Proceeds support programs that benefit our students, teachers, and school community.
Think restaurant gift cards, car washes, cleaning services, event tickets, spa or beauty certificates, gift baskets, vacation stays, and more. Every donation, large or small, makes a difference.
Interested in contributing or promoting your business while supporting EPMS? Contact Auction Chair Sara Fuchs at sfuchs@gmail.com.
Every donation counts. Every bid supports our students.
CELEBRATE PTSA BUSINESS PARTNER
KROGER ON CROSSVILLE ROAD GIVES BACK TO ELKINS POINTE!
It Takes a Village—and our village includes amazing local businesses!
Elkins Pointe Middle School is grateful to Kroger on Crossville Road for supporting our Titans with a generous donation of more than $200 in school supplies! 📚✏️
These supplies will help our students and teachers start the school year with some of the tools they need to learn, create, and succeed. Community support like this makes a real difference at Elkins Pointe, and we are excited to recognize Kroger for investing in our school.
Supporting our school doesn’t have to stop at a donation. Our families can support this local Kroger throughout the year simply by making it their neighborhood grocery store.
Here are a few easy ways to support Kroger while supporting our community:
🥕 Choose Kroger for your groceries — From school-lunch staples to weekend dinners, every shopping trip helps support a local business that supports our Titans.
💳 Use a Kroger loyalty account — Take advantage of available rewards and community programs connected to your Kroger account.
🤝 Tell Kroger you appreciate their support of Elkins Pointe! — A quick “thank you” to a store manager or associate lets them know our school notices businesses that give back.
🌟 Why Business Partnerships Matter
At Elkins Pointe, our students benefit when families, schools, and local businesses work together. Business partners help provide resources and opportunities that may not be possible through school funding alone.
We hope you’ll join us in saying:
THANK YOU, KROGER! 💙💛
And the next time you’re making your grocery list, consider stopping by Kroger on Crossville (570 E Crossville Rd, Roswell, GA 30075) and supporting a business that has chosen to support our Titans.
It Takes a Village. And we’re proud to have Kroger in ours!
Interested in becoming an Elkins Pointe PTSA Business Partner for the 2026–27 school year? Contact the Elkins Pointe PTSA to learn more about partnership opportunities. ptsa.epms@gmail.com
FCS ALL ACCESS EXPO
UNLOCK EXCITING HIGH SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES!
🚍 Get ready to attend the FCS All Access Expo! Elkins This is a fantastic opportunity for the Titans to explore exciting programs, pathways, and opportunities that can help shape their future.
- WHAT: All Access Expo: Explore Your High School Options
- WHO: Current 8th grade students and their parents/guardians
- WHEN: Saturday, October 3 | 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- WHERE: North Springs High School, 7447 Roswell Rd., Sandy Springs, GA 30328
- QUESTIONS? Email Mrs. Shannon Reynolds, Elkins Pointe 8th grade Counselor, at ReynoldsSN@fultonschools.org
Let us know if you plan on going by complete the form:
FCS All Access Expo - 8th Grade Family Interest Form – Fill out form
* Give your 8th grader a head start on high school! Learn about high school programs, meet CTAE representatives, and find the best fit for your future high school student.
TITAN FAMILY FUN!
HOMECOMING @ THE HIGH SCHOOLS
- October 16, 2026 - Milton Homecoming Football Game @ 7:00 PM , MHS Stadium
- October 16 2026 - Roswell Homecoming Football Game @ 7:00 PM, RHS Stadium
SPIN WITH THE MILTON EAGLES
Spin with the Eagles is a special opportunity for K-8th grade students to learn how to "spin" with the Milton Band Colorguard and then perform at the Milton High School Homecoming Halftime Show.
- Practice: Thursday, October 15, 2026, 6:00-7:30 PM
- Performance: Friday, October 16, 2026 (Homecoming vs. Alpharetta)
- Location: Milton High School
- Registration deadline: October 2, 2026
We would love to attend one of your upcoming events to hand out flyers and share information with students and families who might be interested in joining us. If you have any events planned that might be a good fit, please let me know the date, time, and participation guidelines so we can coordinate and request permission for our Guard members to attend.
We would also be so grateful if you'd be willing to include a short blurb in your school newsletter or family communications. I've included one below that you can drop right in:
🏳️ Spin With The Eagles — Middle Schoolers, Take the Field at Homecoming!
Calling all middle school students! Have you ever wanted to perform under the Friday night lights? Join the Milton High School Colorguard for Spin With The Eagles, our fun annual event at the Homecoming game on Friday, October 16 (vs. Alpharetta)!
You'll learn a routine alongside our high school colorguard and then perform with the team at the game - no experience necessary, just bring your school spirit! It's a great way to try colorguard, make new friends, and be part of the Milton Eagle family for a night.
Sign up at miltonband.org/spin
MORE THINGS FOR TITANS!
THE SOS SISTERHOOD MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
💕 Girls in grades 2-12 are invited to be part of a mentorship program that promotes confidence, leadership, personal growth, and sisterhood. For more information, call 678-800-1767 or follow @sos_mentoring_group on Instagram. ✨💖